Performance indicators now web-based

By Matthew Bondy, Communications and Public Affairs, and Kerry Tolson, Institutional Analysis and Planning.

Since 2005, University of Waterloo Performance Indicators have been updated every October for presentation to Senate and the Board of Governors, and subsequent release to the campus community and public.

The performance indicators (PIs) are intended to provide a statistical profile of the university, and give the institution a set of baseline data to measure the health of the university overall. Formerly a set of 90 discrete indicators, this year’s data set hones in on a smaller set of 40, reflecting consultations with academic and administrative units about enhancing the usefulness of the report.

“We want the institution to be able to really use this data,” said Jana Carson, manager, evaluation and accountability in the Institutional Analysis & Planning department. “That means making it more user friendly and accessible, and it means presenting the content in a way that is easier to understand. I think we’eve made some real progress on that this year.”

According to Vice-President, Academic & Provost Geoff McBoyle, the PIs are essential to making continuous, measurable progress across the board.

“You can have the best of intentions, and even an outstanding plan, but without excellent implementation and excellent execution, it’s really difficult to make and track progress,” he told the Daily Bulletin.  “Our PIs are invaluable to diagnosing strengths and opportunities for improvement, especially as we move from concept to operationalization on our Strategic Plan.”

The 2013 Performance Indicators are available online. A special selection of the indicators was prepared for the October 2013 Senate and Board of Governors meetings to provide potential baseline measures for the Strategic Plan’s three differentiating strengths of Experiential Education, Transformational Research, and Entrepreneurship. That package is also available online.

 

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This Friday, celebrate National Philanthropy Day

by Jacqueline Hanley, Office of Advancement.

On Friday, November 15, National Philanthropy Day® will be celebrated around the world and here at Waterloo.

It’s a special day to recognize the many ways people give back to their communities and causes they care about as volunteers, ambassadors, advocates and donors.  

The philanthropic spirit is woven into the fabric of the University of Waterloo, and it is evident in every corner of our campus. The contributions of our faculty, staff, retirees, students, alumni and friends take many forms - from volunteering your time on committees and at events, to sharing your special skills leading and mentoring others, to your generous financial support, you contribute to the success of your communities and this institution. Thank you!

All this week, look for the many ways we‘re celebrating the impact of philanthropy at Waterloo.  We’ll have stories on the university homepage, a lecture by two graduate students who started a non-profit, and on Whiteboard Wednesday, students tell what philanthropy means to them.  Stay tuned!

 

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Biology prof honoured for career achievements

Professor Emeritus William Taylor (right) has won the 2013 Career Achievement Award from the Canadian Council of University Biology Chairs. This award recognizes his tremendous contributions to the field of biology, teaching and university service.

Taylor is globally recognized as an expert within many areas of aquatic biology and the human effects on water quality. From the local Grand River System to the distant East African Lakes and Three Gorges Reservoir, the impact of his research has crossed continents. His work has led to more than 100 publications, an h-index of over 28 and a number of government reports.

In the classroom, Taylor has inspired hundreds of students and often taught courses outside of his discipline. Many of today’s top ecologists in Canada have worked in Taylor’s lab as students, postdoctoral fellows and visitors. Additionally, his students and colleagues have nominated him for the 2013-2014 University Excellence in Graduate Supervision Award.

“As a faculty member in the Department since 1981, including service as Chair, Bill has had a major influence on several generations of researchers and has contributed immensely to building the Department of Biology,” said Chair David Rose.

Taylor has served the University of Waterloo in several critical leadership roles throughout his career, as Biology Department Chair, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Associate Dean of Research. Generous with his time and support, he has served on numerous journal editorial boards and as a scientific advisor to both Canadian and international government agencies.

Thank you and congratulations Prof. William Taylor on your award!

 

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Monster sale and other notes

The Waterloo Store is holding its "Monster Sale," formerly known as the Sidewalk Sale, today from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Wednesday, November 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

"This is an opportunity for staff and students to purchase new uWaterloo crested clothing at a great saving," writes marketing assistant Tawsif Chowdhury.

The event will take place in the South Campus Hall concourse.

Peretz Lavie, the President of Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, will be speaking at the Accelerator Centre today from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Waterloo Unlimited, the on-campus transdisciplinary high school enrichment program, will be hosting more than 50 grade 12 students for the “Road Map to Research” Program from Wednesday, November 13 to Friday, November 15. Road Map to Research promises "an immersive, pre-university experience including an introduction to the art and science of reading academic papers, an opportunity to explore cutting-edge discoveries with professors, and the chance to engage with current student researchers." Lectures, small group sessions, seminars and other activities are planned for the three-day program.

The Library has announced its extended hours for exam time. The extended hours go into effect from November 24 to December 20.

The Davis Centre Library will be open 24 hours a day except Sunday, when it will be closed from 2:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. The Dana Porter Library will be open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. daily.

During this time, service desks and related services will be closed at regular times, which for Dana Porter is 11:00 p.m. and midnight at the Davis Centre. There will be attendants present for security purposes. Staff will monitor for noise, cell phone use, and hot foods that are not permitted in the library.

On the last day of extended hours, Friday, December 20, the Davis Centre Library will close at midnight and Dana Porter will close at 11:00 p.m.

The intersession period runs from December 21 to 23 and January 2 to 5, 2014, and the libraries will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday and 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Library will be closed from December 24 to January 1.

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